A response to our letter to the Minister for Nature

Prior to COP16, the UN Biodiversity Conference, in October, we wrote to the Minister for Nature, Mary Creagh, with two key asks:

1. For the UK to set out a timeframe for delivering the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
2. To re-establish commitments to deliver £3bn in climate finance for nature by 2026

We were grateful to receive a response that re-affirmed the government’s commitment to conserve and manage 30% of our land and seas by 2030. The Minister said she fully recognised the importance of publishing the NBSAPs but did not provide a clear timeframe for doing this, instead stating that would be published in due course following the review and revision of the Environmental Improvement Plan which is currently underway.

As one of the most nature depleted countries in the world, and currently falling behind on achieving the 30by30 target, publishing a credible plan for how this can be achieved is critical.

The Minister highlighted that the UK has reaffirmed its commitment to spending £3bn on nature by 2026 (£1.5bn of which would go to forest projects). Analysis by Climate Outreach suggests that this would require £1.7bn on nature (including £900m on forests) by 2026 to reach this target. The Autumn budget statement included more than £400m for tree-planting and peatland restoration.

We are encouraged by the government’s commitment to meeting the climate finance targets established and wait to see how they are delivered.